Every year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a unique opportunity opens for undergraduates across the U.S. — a chance to spend a summer immersed in high-level research, working in world-class laboratories under expert mentorship. This is the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP), a fully funded, research-intensive summer initiative run by MIT’s Office of Graduate Education (OGE).
If you’re a college student passionate about research, curious about graduate school, or hoping to build a strong academic résumé — MSRP can be a life-changing launchpad. This 2026 edition promises to deliver the same benefits: mentorship, resources, stipend, housing, and invaluable experience.
What is MSRP?
The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) is a competitive, mentored, research-intensive summer experience hosted by MIT’s Office of Graduate Education (OGE) that prepares undergraduate students — especially those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in graduate education — for graduate study and careers in research. MSRP places participants in MIT research labs where they work on an independent project under close mentorship while attending seminars, professional development workshops, and community events throughout the summer. MSRP runs across MIT departments (biology, brain & cognitive sciences, EECS, engineering and more), and some units run related branded tracks (e.g., the Bernard S. & Sophie G. Gould MSRP in Biology).
What the Program Offers
One of the defining features of MSRP — and a major reason it is highly sought after — is that it is fully funded. Participating students receive:
- University housing for the full duration of the program (summer dorms on campus).
- Weekly stipend to support living expenses, allowing you to focus on research instead of extra jobs.
- Round-trip travel allowance to and from MIT (domestic travel is generally covered; for international-student applicants being enrolled at a US institution, check travel support rules)
- Meal subsidy / partial meal support; while food costs aren’t always completely covered, the program provides a food allowance and program meals.
- Access to MIT’s facilities — labs, libraries, athletic center, and health services, giving you full access to the campus experience.
- Research experience — you work full time in a research lab on real projects, under supervision, with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- Professional and academic development — weekly seminars on grad-school preparation, research ethics, presentation & writing skills, networking, and career guidance.
- End-of-summer deliverables & presentation experience — expects participants to deliver an abstract, research summary or paper, possibly poster presentation or symposium participation.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the 2026 MSRP, applicants must meet certain criteria determined by MIT’s OGE. As of the most recent eligibility guidelines:
General requirements
- Be a full-time undergraduate student at a U.S. college or university (outside MIT).
- Be a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior — you must have completed at least two academic years of college coursework by the start of the program. Students expecting to graduate before December 2026 are not eligible.
- Have (typically) a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale), though exceptions can be made for applicants with strong potential, upward grade trends, or compelling personal/educational contexts.
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in research and in pursuing graduate education (e.g., master’s or PhD), and a commitment to a research or academic career.
- For international students: you must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. institution (i.e., foreign students studying abroad are not eligible).
Additional Encouraged Applicant Profiles
MSRP welcomes and especially encourages applications from students who:
- Come from under-resourced or underrepresented backgrounds in academia (rural or underfunded schools, limited access to research facilities, first-generation college students, financially disadvantaged backgrounds).
- Have demonstrated resilience, motivation, and academic potential despite barriers (financial, social, geographic).
- Wish to explore a career in science, engineering, mathematics, and are ready to commit to a full-time summer research program.
Note: If you are a first-year undergraduate, you generally are not eligible — MSRP expects at least two years of college completed before participating. MIT undergraduates are not eligible for MSRP — MIT’s own undergraduate research program (UROP) is used instead.
Application Process
If you plan to apply for the 2026 MSRP, follow these steps carefully:
- Check eligibility: ensure you meet all criteria (college level, GPA, major, coursework completed, non-MIT student, U.S. institution, etc.)
- Prepare application materials:
- Updated résumé / CV (highlight coursework, grades, research or lab experience, extracurriculars)
- Unofficial transcripts from your institution(s) attended, showing GPA and coursework.
- Personal statement: explaining your research interests, motivation for graduate school, why MIT & MSRP appeal, and how this opportunity aligns with your long-term goals.
- Research preferences: list your top 3 choices of department / faculty / research area (review the “Interested Faculty” list published by MSRP)
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a science faculty member or research supervisor, especially if you have prior research experience)
- Submit online application before deadline: for 2026, that’s January 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST for MSRP General.
- Wait for decision: notifications typically by March 31. If admitted, confirm acceptance as per instructions in the offer letter.
- Prepare for summer: coordinate travel, housing move-in, any visa/authorization if applicable, and arrival at MIT at program start (~June 8, 2026 for MSRP General)
What Happens During MSRP
Once you’re admitted into MSRP, here’s what your summer will look like:
- Research Placement
- You’ll be assigned to an MIT research lab (across any of the 5 Schools or the Schwarzman College of Computing), working under a faculty mentor (plus grad students or postdocs) on a real research project.
- You’re expected to work full-time in the lab — MSRP is immersive, not part-time or casual side-work. Classes are not permitted during the program.
- Professional Development & Seminars
- Weekly seminars and workshops on topics like research ethics, scientific writing, graduate school application preparation (SOPs, statements of purpose), data analysis, presentation skills, and academic career planning.
- Guidance and mentoring from faculty, grad students, and peer mentors to help you navigate research culture and graduate-school pathways.
- Community & Social Life
- Participants live in MIT summer housing (shared suites), giving a vibrant community experience with fellow interns.
- Social and community-building events: past students report outings like a Boston-area boat cruise, visits around Cambridge/Boston, excursions, group meals, and fun activities.
- Culminating Deliverables
- At the end of the summer you typically prepare a research abstract or paper, and give a poster presentation or symposium talk showcasing your work to peers and faculty.
- You may also get guidance on crafting or refining a statement of purpose for graduate school.
- Academic, Career & Networking Benefits
- Access to MIT’s top-tier labs, libraries, computing and research resources — a big upgrade from many undergraduate institutions.
- Exposure to cutting-edge research and the chance to contribute meaningfully to real science or engineering problems.
- A boost to your graduate-school or research résumé: having a summer at MIT, a research project, and strong mentorship will significantly strengthen applications to PhD or master’s programs.
- Community and network building with other talented students, professors, and researchers — relationships that can last long beyond the summer.
Challenges
- Very competitive: many applicants, limited positions, high standards. Don’t assume acceptance.
- Full-time commitment: you’ll spend the whole summer working, so you can’t take other summer classes or other major commitments.
- Short duration: while 8–10 weeks is intensive, it’s still summer; long-term research or thesis work will need follow-up.
- Housing & stipend enough, but modest: stipend and housing helps, but you still must budget carefully (especially if commuting or having personal obligations).
- No guarantee of graduate admission: MSRP is not an admission guarantee to MIT graduate programs. It’s a preparation and exposure opportunity.
Tips to Maximize Your Chances
If you plan to apply for 2026 MSRP, here are some strategic recommendations:
- Start early: gather transcripts, CV, letters of recommendation, think about research interests, potential labs/faculty to list.
- Align your research interests well: browse MIT’s departments and research groups; pick 2–3 labs that match your interests and show clear alignment in your application.
- Craft a strong personal statement: clearly explain why you want to do research, why at MIT, what you hope to learn, and how this fits your long-term academic/career goals.
- Secure genuine recommendation letters: at least one from someone who knows your scientific or academic strength (professor, research mentor), ideally referencing your potential to conduct lab work or succeed in research.
- Demonstrate passion and resilience: if you come from under-resourced backgrounds or non-traditional paths, share your story; MSRP values diversity, inclusion, and potential beyond transcript alone.
- Be flexible: while you may have a “dream lab,” be open to working in related fields; flexibility increases your placement chances.
- Submit early if possible: avoid last-minute uploads or reference delays; technical glitches near the deadline can jeopardize your application.
- Have a back-up plan: treat MSRP as one of several summer options; apply to other internships or research programs in case MSRP doesn’t work out.
Official resources & links
- MIT OGE — MSRP main page
- MSRP FAQs (costs, stipend, housing)
- MSRP application & eligibility
- MSRP Biology / BSG-MSRP pages (example departmental track):
Conclusion
The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) is an amazing, fully funded opportunity to experience research at one of the world’s best institutions. It’s particularly valuable if you’re seriously considering graduate school, want hands-on lab or computational research experience, and would benefit from intensive mentorship and graduate-school preparation. Start your application early, gather strong recommendations, and craft a focused statement that shows both your research readiness and why MIT (and the chosen department) is the right next step for you.